Hey Green Sculpture Gate and Generator
This unusual metal sculpture gate (see photo) at the Hey Green Hotel was created by artist Jason Thompson in 2002 with Local Heritage Initiative Funding secured by the River Colne Project. It depicts the story of Hey Green’s historical connection with the South Pacific.
A water powered domestic electricity generator, built around 1890, lies behind the gate. It used water from the nearby stream to light Hey Green House, the first house in the Colne Valley to have electric lighting. The house and generator were owned by mill owner Joseph Crowther at the time.
Enoch's Tomb
On a small green near St. Bartholomew's church stands the tomb of Enoch Taylor of Ready Car, Marsden, who died in 1837. During the time of the Luddite attacks in 1812 on mills and machinery in the West Riding, Enoch and James Taylor owned an iron foundry where they made both the mill machinery and the hammers which the Luddites used to smash them. The phrase "Enoch hath made them, Enoch shall break them" was coined at the time. Strangely, their foundry was never attacked by the Luddites. Years later a close friend of the family, one John Nowell of Farnley Tyas, claimed that Enoch had been the intended victim on the night of 28th April 1812, when Luddites attacked and killed William Horsfall as he rode home from market in Huddersfield. Nowell claimed that Horsfall and Enoch Taylor usually rode home together but that Enoch had been detained in the town on that particular day. Nowell claimed that it was Enoch Taylor "whose life they most wished for".
Marsden village stocks and footbridge
These are also situated near St. Bartholomew's church, a relic of medieval Marsden, and of a more unusual design than most. They were re-sited here in 1973. Harry Broadbent spent 6 hours in the stocks in 1820 as punishment for ringing the church bell late at night in jubilation at the failure of George IV to end his marriage to Caroline of Brunswick. However, he was afterwards carried through Marsden in triumph by the crowd who evidently agreed with him! A lane by the side of the church leads to Mellor's Bridge. This was originally built in 1775 as a shortcut for the vicar at the time between the vicarage and the church. In 1804 Edward Bower fell from the parapet into the river and was killed, but it took another 17 years for it to be declared unsafe and replaced by the present bridge.
Model of Marsden's Canal
This model in the centre of Marsden was designed by Mick Kirkby-Geddes as part of the Millenium Commission's Lottery Project in 2002. It depicts part of the village and the canal and is modelled in wrought iron.
McKitrick Bros
The iron plaque low on the wall of a house near the centre of Marsden bears the words "McKitrick Bros - Huddersfield". This company of ironmongers was established at 48 Buxton Road, Huddersfield by the mid 1850s. The owners were William Henry and Charles Wood McKitrick then of Crosland Moor. The brothers were the sons of another William McKitrick, a retired Wesleyan minister, born in Belfast but widowed and living in Altrincham, Cheshire by 1851. By 1861 William and Charles, both unmarried, were living near their business premises, at 2 Spring Gardens, with their sister Amelia as housekeeper. By 1871 they had moved to South Parade and had their 16 year old nephew, Charles Winterbourne, living with them and apprenticed to the business. At this time they employed 3 men and 3 boys at the works. By 1884 the company had moved up the street to 64 Buxton Road.
William died in January 1885 at the age of 65, and Charles, although much younger, died in September of the same year, both were still unmarried. By this time they had moved once again to "Rylstone House" on Belmont Street and their sister, Amelia, and nephew Charles continued to live there after their deaths. "McKitrick Bros." the company continued nevertheless, and by 1937 was being described as "ironmongers, mill furnishers and fireplace specialists". After that, the company seems to have retained the Buxton Road premises, but also had premises at 38 Wakefield Road. Later still the company became part of "GFS Homes Ltd" at the Riverside Works in Huddersfield. By 1971 the name "McKitrick Bros" had disappeared - except on these fairly common house plaques, scattered around Kirklees, it would seem.
Johnstone Stores
William Johnstone was born in Lockerbie, Scotland but by 1835 had settled in Marsden with his wife, Sarah, and had opened a grocery store there. In 1867 he is described as a grocer and linen draper and by 1877 he also ran the Post and Telegraph Office which involved running the Savings Bank and Government annuity and insurance schemes as well. In 1871, his son Francis and five of his daughters, aged between 12 and 46, were all working for him as assistants in the store at Bridge End. Francis, who had been born in 1851, was obviously learning his trade. Francis married Mary Alice Wood in 1875 and by 1881 was himself described as a grocer and draper, living in Argyle Street, with a son of his own, William. His father, meanwhile, has to employ assistants from outside the family. One William Whitehead, assistant grocer, was lodging with him at this time. Francis's business expanded, despite a small setback in 1868 when he was in court accused of using a pair of unjust scales. By 1892 he was running the Post Office too, and by 1901 was employing assistants to help in the shop, including his wife and son, an only child, who was described as "having a nervous affliction since childhood". He had moved with his family to a better home in Crow Hill, and besides being a shopkeeper, was a teacher at the Marsden Mechanics Institute, probably in the evenings. His shop sold groceries, hay, corn, coal, millinery, drapery, and more and made a huge contribution to people's lives in Marsden. He continued in business there for many years. Frank's shop, built in 1880, has now been converted to a public house - the Riverhead Tap - with a replica window commemorating the business.